Sword and shield. (Clinton, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1887-03-05

enJy answered., InOugn not III an audible
tone, for the steps came on; and in another
second InfadoOS had entered the hut, fol-
lowed by some half dozen stately-lOoking
chiefs.
''My lords" he said, Il have come accor d.
ing to my word My lords and lgnosi, right
ful King of Kukuanas, l have brought with
me these men," pointing to the row OF
chiefs, who are great men among US, hav-
ing each one Of them the command of three
thousand soldiers, who live to do their bid
ding, under the kings. l have told them
of what | have seen, and what my ears have
heard Now let them also see the sacred
snake around thee, and hear thy story, lgno-
81, that they may say whether or no they
will make cause with thee against Twala,
the king"
For answer Ignosi again stripped off his
girdIe, and exhibited the snake tatto0ed
around him. Each chief in turn drew near
and examined it by the dim light of the
lamp, and without saying word passed on
to the other side. Then IgnOsi resumed his
moocha, and addressing them, repeated the
history he had detailed in the morning.
Now We have heard, Chiefs" said Infa-
doos when he had DONE what say ye; will
we stand by this man and help him to his
fathers throne, or will We not? The land
cries out against Twala and the blood of the
people flows like the waters in spring. Ye
have seen tonight. Two other chiefs there
were with whom had in my mind to speak,
and where are they now? The hyenas
howl over their corpses. Soon will ye be as
they are if We strike not. Choose then, my
brothers."
The eldest of the six men, a short, thick
set warrior with white hair, stepped forward
pace and answered:
"Thy words are true, InfadOos; the land
cries out Ny own brother is among those
who died tonight; but this is great matter
and the thing is hard to believe. How know
we that if we lift our spears it may not De
for an impostor? 1t is great matter say,
and none may see the end of it. For OF this
be sure, blood will flow in rivers before the
deed is done; many will cleave to the king,
for men worship the sun that still shines
bright in the heavens, and not that which
has not risen. These white men, from the
stars, their magic is great, and lgnosl IS un-
der the cover OF their wing. Ii he be indeed
the rightful king let them give us a sign, and
let the people have sign, that all may see.
So shall men cleaye to lis, knowing that the
white mans magic is with them. =
"Ye have the sign Of the snake" | an
swered.
MY lord, it is not enough. The snake
NAV have been placed there since the mans
birth. Show us sign. We will not move
without a sign"
The others gave a decided assent, and
turned in perplexity to Sir Henry and Good,
and explained the situation.
II think | have it" said Good, eXultingly;
task them to give us a moment to think"
| did so, and the chiefs Withdrew. As soon
as they were gone Good went to the little
box inwhich his medicines were unlocked it,
and took out a notebook, in the front OF
which was an almanac. Now, look here,
YOU fellows isa't tomorrow the fourth OF
June?"
We had kept careful note of the days,
SO were able TO answer that it was.
VERY good; then here we have it-'4tll
June, total eclipse of the sun commences at
IL. Is Greenwich time, visible in these islands
Africa, etc. There's sign for you. Tel
them that you will darken the sun tO-mor.
row."
The idea was splendid one; indeed, the
only fear about it was fear lest Goods al
manac might be incorrect. If we made a
false prophecy on such subject our pres.
| tige would be gone forever, and so woulC
Ignosi's chance of the throne of the Kukua
mas.
Suppose the almanac is wrong" suggest
ed Sir Henry to Good, who was buSily EN-
ployed in working out something on fly.
/ leaf of the book.
II don't see any reason to suppose any
thing of the sort" was his answer. ''Eclip
ses always come up to time; at least, that is
my experience of them. and it especially
states that it will be visible in Africa.
have worked out the reckonings as vel
as I can, without knowing our exact posi-
ton; and make out that the eclipse should
begin here about one o'clock tomorrow, and
last till half-past two. For half an hour OF
more there should be total darkness"
"Well," said Sir Henry, Il suppose we
had better risk it."
acquiesced, though doubtfully, for eclipse'
are queer cattle to deal with, and sent I'm
bopa to summons the chiefs back. Presently
they came, and l addressed them thus:
"Great men of the Kukuanas, and thou
InfadooS, listen. We are not fond of show
ing our powers, since to do so is to interfere
with the course of nature, and plunge tht